Piloting Callowhill NID services | digging for West Shipyard | eating Philly’s catch | Globe Dye may offer live-work space | Judge sticks it to PPA

It’s really thick out there today, but the temperature is only supposed to hit 91. There’s a good chance we’ll see rain later so bring your umbrella.

We knew that the Callowhill Neighborhood Improvement District would be hard to kill. The Callowhill Neighborhood Association announced an $80,000 grant (from former Councilman Frank Disco) which will fund a 60-day Pilot Cleaning Program, largely focused on graffiti and litter removal, that will be administered by the Center City District. The City Paper spoke to CCD’s Paul Levy, long a Callowhill NID supporter, who described the pilot as a “demonstration program to show what maintenance can do.” The question is, will enough of the NID’s detractors become converts and support the formation of the Callowhill NID when it’s reintroduced?

In a bland parking lot across from Dave and Buster’s, archaeologists are trying to locate the remains of the West Shipyard, which dates from 1676. PlanPhilly’s Kellie Patrick Gates braved the heat to check out the dig on Wednesday. So far test pits in areas excavated in the 1980s haven’t found the same evidence, but at the behest of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation this dig will also explore areas not previously examined. You too can tour the site and talk to an archaeologist today from 10am-noon or Friday from 1-3pm.

Is it safe to eat the fish caught in Philly’s waterways? Sort of. The state offers suggestions on which fish – and how much – is safe to consume by waterway, but some people ignore the suggestions and eat what they catch. “If I grow another ear, I’ll know something’s wrong,” says Doug Lafferty who fishes in the Schuylkill and Wissahickon. But the Inquirer reports that a study by the Department of Environmental Protection has found that more people simply assume all of the fish caught is dangerous to eat.

In recent years entrepreneurs have been finding space to grow small businesses at Frankford’s former Globe Dye Works. Now the Northeast Times reports that the owners of Globe Dye Works want to offer 21 live-work spaces in five of their 12 buildings. Frankford Civic Association has backed the necessary zoning change and the proposal will come before the Zoning Board of Adjustment on August 14.

A Common Pleas judge ordered the Parking Authority and the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication to change their ways to become more accountable. Daily News columnist Ronnie Polaneczky feels like hell froze over and celebrates these new rules in a piece today. Effective immediately ticketed motorists can cross-examine the agent who wrote the contested ticket, and BAA officials have to offer a written justification for hearing decisions. Also, any ticket that is too vague (e.g. without a precise address) or unsigned is not valid.

The Buzz is Eyes on the Street’s morning news digest. Have a tip? Send it along.